JAPAN, THE EMPEROR, AND THE ARMY

How sixty years after its defeat, Japan has become one of the world's prominent military powers in spite of its pacifist constitution.

Japanese politics is currently like a rudderless ship, adrift in the Pacific Ocean. Japan is going through a period of self-doubt, questioning its own position in the post-Cold War international political currant.

Taken together, the collapse of the Soviet Union, the liberalization of the Chinese market, the unification of Europe and globalization have all lead Japanese politicians to debate their “international contribution” in order to claim a place for Japan on the international scene. At the same time, the Americans, in their role as “the world’s police force” are asking Japan not only for money but for manpower, as recently in the Iraq war.

Today, Japan is calling for a seat on Security Council of the United Nations, for which it is the principal financial contributor, and it has every intention of obtaining what it wants. Japan believes it should contribute physically in the world’s conflicts, but its fundamental law prevents this participation.

On May 3, 2007, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Japanese Constitution, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his intention to amend Article 9. Also known as the Peace Clause, it affirms the principle of Japan’s non-belligerence, and symbolizes the country’s post-war moral renewal.

On August 15, 1945, the Emperor gave a radio address to the nation announcing that he had accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration. It would be a major turning point for Japan, one which would create tremendous upheaval: the dissolution of the Army, a military tribunal for war criminals, the liberation of women, the democratization of education, laws establishing legislative elections, agrarian reform, unionism... Every element of Japanese society was affected by this sea change. All of these reforms were brought about by the Japanese Constitution, drafted by MacArthur, Commander-in-Chief of the Occupation Forces.

As early as 1954, the Constitution’s pacifist spirit was betrayed by the creation of the Self-Defence Forces. Ever since, Japan’s military strength has increased steadily, reinforced by neo-nationalist groups’ exalted enthusiasm. Today Japan’s army counts some 250,000 soldiers; it has the 4th largest budget of any army in the world. Japanese public opinion is divided, perpetuating the situation’s ambiguity: avoid increased militarization in order to preserve the pacifist spirit considered or else amend article 9 so that Japan can take part in armed conflicts.

Article 9 is the symbol of post-war Japan. The film questions the current challenges to its pacifist values. It goes over the historical events that led to the writing of this clause, whose non-belligerent spirit makes it unique in the whole world. The film leads us to the core of the ever-deepening contradiction between institutions and reality, and analyzes the deeper motivations of the neo-nationalists who, at the very heart of power, are calling for “the right to wage war”.

Starting from the present day, we will follow young Japanese soldiers entering the Military Academy and being trained to join the Self-Defence Forces. We will listen to those who defend Article 9: voices being raised, ever more stridently, and from all horizons and every generation. Along with other Japanese people of their generation, they are conscious of living through a crisis moment in their country’s history. What does Article 9 mean to the Japanese youth, at the core of the erosion of memory of the war?